Verhaal van de feestelijkheden rond de inzwering van Willem IV als stadhouder van Holland en West-Friesland, 1747 1747

This broadside, made by Jacobus Haffman in 1747, details the festivities surrounding Willem IV's inauguration as stadtholder of Holland and West Friesland. The text illustrates the cultural and political climate of the Dutch Republic during a time of transition. This document provides insight into the construction of power and identity through public spectacle. Willem IV's rise to stadtholder was a complex negotiation of political factions and popular sentiment. As such, it questions how the concept of leadership can be communicated to the masses. These celebrations played a crucial role in legitimizing his rule and solidifying his image as a leader. It also speaks to the fraught subject of gendered power; the assumption of male authority during the 18th century was a given, and Willem IV's ascendance was built upon that foundation. Consider the role of printed media in shaping public opinion and solidifying power. The broadside serves not only as a historical record, but also as a testament to the enduring nature of identity, performance, and societal transformation.